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"How did EIR auxiliaries fight when on their own?" Topic


4 Posts

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Comments or corrections?

Brownand28 Aug 2018 8:55 a.m. PST

A lot of EIR fortresses were only manned by auxiliaries (only an infantry cohort or a combined cavary/infantry cohort.) Where they only used for peacekeeping or did they also fought invaders etc and how? Only in skirmishing role or also in small battles (and then in a battleline as legionaries did?)

steamingdave4728 Aug 2018 9:49 a.m. PST

link

May shed some light on the subject?

bsrlee28 Aug 2018 3:09 p.m. PST

Auxiliary cohorts seem to have been 'legionary light' formations, basically a cheaper version of the standard legionary and fought much the same.

The smaller Auxiliary units – numeri and cunei for instance seem to have been recruited for some real or imagined native skill and don't seem to have been drilled or equipped to legionary standards.

catavar28 Aug 2018 9:13 p.m. PST

I think it depended on how many invaders there were.

It's my understanding LIR armies would draft local garrison troops and place them (somewhere) in the line as needed; if they performed well they could be upgraded/promoted. I wouldn't be surprised if this happened during the EIR era as well.

I believe auxiliary covers a wide field ranging from well lead/trained troops, to poorly armed locals, to allies of questionable loyalty; either on foot or mounted. While I would think many would be skirmishers I could see others being placed in the line if properly equipped.

My rambling two cents.

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